PUR – Mojica revels in chance to play for Puerto Rico

ATHENS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Javier Mojica is living a dream right now as a member of the Puerto Rico team that’s trying to qualify for the Beijing Games.

A 23-year-old guard who was one of the last players to make the squad, Mojica made the most of the opportunity with a sensational nine-point, seven-rebound game in 15 minutes off the bench in Friday’s 81-70 quarter-final triumph over Slovenia.

Mojica gave this interview to FIBA.com.

FIBA: Javier, tell us what your job is with this national team.

Javier Mojica: My role is to come off the bench and if I get that chance as I did today (against Slovenia), I am going to make the most of it. Today it worked out, I played great. We just played together as a team.

FIBA: When did you discover you had made the team?

Javier Mojica: The day before we left Puerto Rico, that's when I found out that I was going to play in the national team. It was like a dream come true.

FIBA: Put this whole thing into perspective for us.

Javier Mojica: This is the greatest achievement of my career, to be able to be fighting for an Olympic team is a great blessing.

FIBA: What were you doing four years ago when Puerto Rico beat Team USA?

Javier Mojica: I was playing at Central Connecticut University in New Britain, playing college basketball. I saw highlights and that was a shocker to watch an island that my parents are from beat the USA, a dominant country in basketball.

FIBA: What is it like playing basketball in Puerto Rico?

Javier Mojica: It's great. It’s a beautiful island. When the season in Europe ends, the tournament begins and is like a treat to play there. It's great. It's a tough league and it gets you ready for Europe in September.

FIBA: So you play in Europe, too?

Javier Mojica: I am looking to go to Europe in September. I was in Romania last season and I will definitely play in Europe this coming season.

FIBA: Once you come down from the high of playing so well against Slovenia, what will you think about?

Javier Mojica: Right now, all I am focusing on is the next game we have. It's one more game and we are off to the Olympics.

FIBA: How amazing would that be, to play at the Olympics?

Javier Mojica: It would be the greatest achievement that I would have had, to be there, to be with the team that I feel close to. A young team of great players, it would be a blessing.

FIBA: We guess the best thing about this, Javier, is that you are only at the beginning of your career with Puerto Rico.

Javier Mojica: Yes, I'm still young. I will do this for many years to come.

FIBA: Greece in the semi-final? Games do not come any harder than that, Javier. Are you looking forward to playing in front of a packed house of Greek fans?

Javier Mojica: We definitely want to win the next game ... We know it's going to be tough, but we want to see all the stands filled with people.

FIBA